Academy fixtures finalised

The fixtures for the Under-18 Premier League elite play-off phase have now been confirmed.

Rovers finished fourth in Northern division after ending the season in style with five wins and two draws from their last seven games.

Lying in second spot going into the final round of fixtures, Manchester United won 2-0 away at Stoke City in their final group game to finish as runners-up, whilst Liverpool inflicted a surprise 2-0 defeat on table-toppers Manchester City - their only defeat of the campaign - to come third.

Billy Barr’s side have now been grouped with the top three teams from the Northern division and top four teams from the Southern division in the end-of-season schedule.

Rovers were scheduled to kick off their campaign at home to defending champions Manchester City this Saturday March 11th, but with City being involved in the FA Youth Cup the night before, it means the away match against Liverpool on Saturday 18th will be their opening play-off match. With a date for the Man City match to be confirmed.

Reading are the visitors to Brockhall on Saturday April 1st, before Rovers make two trips to the capital for games against West Ham and Chelsea.

Rovers welcome Arsenal to east Lancashire for their final home game on Saturday April 29th, before concluding their seven-match schedule away to Manchester United on Saturday May 13th.